Plastic bag slider indicator system

ABSTRACT

A plastic bag slider indicator system which allows users to quickly and easily identify whether a ZIP-LOCK type bag is open or sealed, depending on the location of the slider.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/416,628 filed Oct. 6, 2002, entitled “Plastic Bag Slider Indicator System”, which is incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The use of fastening devices for the closure of plastic bags is generally known. In the past, interlocking fastening strips, such as found on ZIP-LOCK bags have been used to seal plastic bags. Also generally known is the use of a slider to assist in more easily and securely fastening the interlocking fastening strips, such as found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,754. Moving such a slider from one side of the bag to the other closes and seals the bag, and moving the slider back opens it again. Typically, it is more convenient to operate a slider than to press the interlocking fastener strips together directly with fingers.

[0003] One problem with interlocking fastening strips is that it is often difficult to tell if the fastening strips are sealed together (sealed), or not (open). Sometimes when bags are in the open state, the interlocking fastening strips partially engage, misleading a user into thinking the bag is sealed. Other times the user may think that the interlocking fastening strips are just partially engaged, when in fact the bag is sealed. At present there is no easy way to quickly and easily tell by looking whether the slider is in the open or sealed position.

[0004] Often such sealed plastic bags have a discernable front, which often has the brand name of the bag printed on it. In the prior art, when looking at the front of a plastic bag, the sealed position for the slider is on the left side for some bags and the sealed position for the slider is on the right side for other bags, which can further confuse a user. In the past, a user has often had to “test” whether such kinds of bags are sealed by tugging the fastening strips to see if they come apart easily or not, an inconvenient means for determining if the bag is properly sealed.

[0005] Although attempts have been made to solve this problem, such as coloring the fastening strips with different colors so that when the fastening strips are combined they form a third color. Such color changing is often too subtle of a difference and difficult to discern, especially without close examination, and especially for color blind people, or others that have difficulty distinguishing colors. Further, it is especially difficult to discern whether a bag is open or sealed, using such a color changing system, when incidental partial engagement of the fastening strips, or even just close proximity of fastening strips that are not engaged may result in the appearance of the third color.

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A primary feature of the present invention is to provide a plastic bag slider indicator system for a plastic bag having interlocking fastening strips and a slider. Another feature of the present invention is to provide such a plastic bag slider indicator system that allows a user to easily discern whether the slider is in the “open bag” or the “sealed bag” position. Another feature of the present invention is to provide such a plastic bag slider indicator system that is inexpensive, convenient, and simple to use. Other features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following figures and descriptions.

SUMMARY

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this invention provides a plastic bag slider indicator system comprising: a plastic bag; interlocking fastening strips; a slider; and open slider position bag indicia. It also provides plastic bag slider indicator system comprising: a plastic bag; interlocking fastening strips; a slider; and closed slider position bag indicia. Furthermore, it provides plastic bag slider indicator system comprising: a plastic bag; interlocking fastening strips; a slider; and open slider direction bag indicia. Moreover, it provides plastic bag slider indicator system comprising: a plastic bag; interlocking fastening strips; a slider; and closed slider direction bag indicia. Further, it provides plastic bag slider indicator system comprising: a plastic bag; interlocking fastening strips; a slider; and open direction slider indicia. Even further, it provides plastic bag slider indicator system comprising: a plastic bag; interlocking fastening strips; a slider; and close direction slider indicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia position indicating system.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia position indicating system.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia position indicating system.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia position indicating system.

[0012]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia position indicating system.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia direction indicating system.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia direction indicating system.

[0015]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia direction indicating system.

[0016]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing a plastic bag with an indicia position indicating system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE OF PRACTICE

[0017] Reference will now be made to the figures. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Plastic bag 100 has a slider 102 which allows a user to open and close the plastic bag 100. Moving slider 102 from one side of the plastic bag 100 to the other side closes and seals the bag by engaging interlocking fastening strips 104, and moving the slider back opens the bag by disengaging interlocking fastening strips 104.

[0018] Preferably the plastic bag slider indicator system comprises open slider position bag indicia 106 and closed slider position bag indicia 108 which indicate whether slider 102 is in the open position or closed position (or in between), as shown. Preferably, open slider position bag indicia 106 comprise symbols and/or words, etc. indicating to a user that the plastic bag 100 is open when the slider is positioned in proximity to the open slider position bag indicia 106. Preferably, open slider position bag indicia 106 comprises words and/or symbols, etc. that are quickly and easily recognizable to users as conveying the meaning “open.” Preferably, open slider position bag indicia 106 is located on a portion of bag 100 such that when slider 102 is in proximity to open slider position bag indicia 106 bag 100 is in the open state. Similarly, preferably, closed slider position bag indicia 106 comprise symbols and/or words, etc. indicating to a user that the plastic bag 100 is closed (sealed) when the slider is positioned in proximity to the closed slider position bag indicia 108. In view of the teachings herein, those familiar in the art will now understand that, under appropriate circumstances, taking into consideration factors such as methods of manufacturing, manufacturing cost, market demand, etc., other types of indicia and indicators may suffice, such as, for example, using the color red as open slider position bag indicia to warn that the bag is open, and the color green as closed slider position bag indicia to indicate the bag is safely sealed. The location of slider position bag indicia must be placed appropriately, (such as, for example, as shown) since it is the proximity of the slider 102 to slider position bag indicia which allows a user to determine whether bag 100 is open or sealed

[0019] The present invention takes advantage of the applicant's appreciation of the ramifications and discovery of the fact that, barring failure of the slider/sealing system, the position of the slider determines whether the bag is in the open or closed state (or in between, as shown). The value of this information has been undiscovered and unappreciated by those familiar in the art of ZIP-LOCK type bags as evidenced by the fact that manufacturers, which would have great incentive to capitalize upon such a discovery, with significant advantage and virtually negligible cost, have not capitalized on such information. Those familiar in the art of ZIP-LOCK type bags will now appreciate, given the teachings herein, that using the principle that “the position of the slider determines whether the bag is in the open or closed state” can provide many different highly effective systems allowing users to much more easily (than prior art ZIP-LOCK type bags) identify whether such a bag is open or sealed, without adding significantly, if at all, to the cost of manufacturing such bags. In view of the teachings herein, those familiar in the art will now understand that, under appropriate circumstances, taking into consideration factors such as methods of manufacturing, manufacturing cost, market demand, etc., other locations and types of indicia, etc., taking advantage of the principle that “the position of the slider, relative to the indicia, indicates whether the bag is in the open or closed state” may suffice.

[0020]FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which open slider position bag indicia 106 and closed slider position bag indicia 108 each comprise a symbol.

[0021]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which open slider position bag indicia 106 and closed slider position bag indicia 108 each comprise a word.

[0022]FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which open slider position bag indicia 106 and closed slider position bag indicia 108 each comprise a word and a symbol.

[0023]FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which bag slider indicator system comprises closed position bag indicia 108, but does not comprise open position bag indicia, since one of the two types of indicia is sufficient to determine whether the bag is open or closed. Similarly there is an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which bag slider indicator system comprises open position bag indicia, but does not comprise closed position bag indicia, (not shown).

[0024]FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which bag slider indicator system comprises closed direction bag indicia 110. The arrow, coupled with the word “close” conveys to the user that moving the slider in the direction shown by the arrow closes (seals) the bag. Those familiar in the art, from the teachings herein, will now appreciate that closed direction bag indicia 110 will quickly allow by visual inspection whether the slider 102 is in the open or closed position.

[0025]FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which bag slider indicator system comprises open direction bag indicia 112.

[0026]FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in which bag slider indicator system comprises close direction slider indicia 114. Preferably, close direction slider indicia 114, and/or open direction slider indicia (not shown), are placed on slider 102, as shown.

[0027]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the plastic bag slider indicator system showing plastic bag 100 with indicia utilizing the principle that “the position of the slider, relative to the indicia, indicates whether the bag is in the open or closed state.” 116.

[0028] From the teachings above those skilled in the art can appreciate many variations, such as for example, a slider indicator system with only open position bag indicia (not shown). Variations of bag indicia indicating whether the slider is in the open position and/or closed position, whether words and/or symbols, varying colors, shapes etc., are contemplated, and their proper use will now be apparent to those in the art, given the teachings above. Also, variations of bag indicia associating a direction of movement with opening or closing the slider, whether words and/or symbols, varying colors, shapes etc., are contemplated, and their proper use will now be apparent to those in the art, given the teachings above. In addition, variations of slider indicia, associating a direction of movement with opening or closing the slider, whether words and/or symbols, varying colors, shapes, etc., are contemplated, and their proper use will now be apparent to those in the art, given the teachings above. It is contemplated that “bag” indicia may include any portion of the bag, such as for example, the fastening strips, the front and back of the bag, etc.

[0029] The various types of indicia taught above may also be combined in many different ways to provide a plastic bag slider indicator system. For example: close direction slider indicia coupled with close position bag indicia. 

What is claimed is: 1) A plastic bag slider indicator system, allowing a user to determine whether a bag is open or closed comprising, in combination: a) at least one plastic bag; b) at least one interlocking fastening strip; c) at least one slider; and d) indicia utilizing the principle that “the position of the slider, relative to the indicia, indicates whether the bag is in the open or closed state”. 2) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises at least one word. 3) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one word is selected from the group consisting of: a) the word “open”, and b) the word “closed” 4) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one word is selected from the group consisting of: a) a word synonymous with the word “open”, and b) a word synonymous with the word “closed” 5) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 1 wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of: a) symbols conveying the meaning “open”, and b) symbols conveying the meaning “closed” 6) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 1 wherein said indicia comprises at least one arrow. 7) A plastic bag slider indicator system, comprising, in combination: a) at least one plastic bag; b) at least one interlocking fastening strip; c) at least one slider; and d) indicia selected from the group consisting of i) open slider position bag indicia, and ii) closed slider position bag indicia. 8) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 7 wherein said indicia comprises at least one word. 9) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 8 wherein said at least one word is selected from the group consisting of: a) the word “open”, and b) the word “closed” 10) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 8 wherein said at least one word is selected from the group consisting of a) a word synonymous with the word “open”, and b) a word synonymous with the word “closed” 11) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 7 wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of: a) symbols conveying the meaning “open”, and b) symbols conveying the meaning “closed.” 12) A plastic bag slider indicator system, comprising, in combination: a) at least one plastic bag; b) at least one interlocking fastening strip; c) at least one slider; and d) at least one indicia selected from the group consisting of i) open slider direction bag indicia, ii) closed slider direction bag indicia, iii) open direction slider indicia, and iv) close direction slider indicia. 13) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 12 wherein said indicia comprises at least one word. 14) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 13 wherein said at least one word is selected from the group consisting of: a) the word “open”, and b) the word “close” 15) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 13 wherein said at least one word is selected from the group consisting of: a) a word synonymous with the word “open”, and b) a word synonymous with the word “close” 16) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 12 wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of: a) symbols conveying the meaning “open”, and b) symbols conveying the meaning “close.” 17) The plastic bag slider indicator system according to claim 12 wherein said indicia comprises at least one arrow. 